Switch-locking mechanism



Feb. 231923.

A. FISHER. SWITCH LOCKING MECHANISM.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I;

FILED AUG- 9.1921- Feb. 27, 1923. 1,446,743.

I A. FISHER.

swncu LOCKING MECHANISM.

mzo AUG.9, 192:. s SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Feb. 27, 1923.

A. FISHER. swncu LOCKING MECHANISM.

s SHEETS-SHEET a.

FILED AUG- 9, 192!- lad.

Patented F eb. 27, 1923.

PATENT OFFICE.

AL DUS FISHER, OF MALVERN, YENNSYLVANIA.

SWITCH-LOCKING MECHANISM.

-' Application filed August 9, 1921. Serial No. 490,873.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that L'A oUs FISHER, a citi- Zen of the United States, residing at Mal vern, in the county of Chester and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in SwitehLocking Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.

One object of my present invention is to provide mechanism which; will v positively lock a railroad track switch in open and closed positions and which will be of a far simpler and more durable construction than mechanism previously employed for this purpose or now in use.

Another object is to so construct my improved mechanism that it cannot be accidentally displaced or broken by trainspassing over the track,

proved mechanism that it can be quickly and easily adjusted to suit various requirements in thexopeningof the switch from the adjacent rail and. will be capable of locking the switch in any of its possible open or closed positions. Thus my improve-d mechanism is particularly well adapted for use on any railroadirrespective of the requirements of the opening desired between the switchvand the adjacent rail.

These objects, and other advantageous e ds which will be described hereinafter, I attain in the following manner, reference being had to .the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a railroad track and switch; the

same illustrating my invention in a position capable of locking the switch either in its open or closed position,

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section taken through -my improved mechanism showing the parts in a position for example to lock the switch in an open position,

Figure 3 is a view of similar character to Figure 1 illustrating certain of the parts having been moved into a position during the unlocking of the switch and during the movement of the means effective to throw the switch into a closed position,

Figure i is a view of similar character to Figures 2 and 3 illustrating the parts havbeen'moved into an unlocked position to Figure 0 is a view of similar character to Figures 2, 3 and 4. showing the parts 1n a position during the throwingactlon of the Another object is to so construct my impermit the complete throwing of the switch.

can be secured to the base.

switch and before the switch has been entirely closed,

, Figure 6 is a view of similar character to Figures 2 to 5 inclusive illustrating said parts ,inra position having effectedthe closing of theswitch and the locking of the switchin its closed position,

Figure 7 is va transverse section taken on the line 7.7 of Figure 4, I

Figure 8 is a top plan view illustrating my improved mechanism; the adjustable plates being illustrated in a position with the locking apertures close together and capable of being moved apart as for example as illustrated in Figure 4.

Figure 9 is an enlarged section taken on the line 9-9 of Figure 8,

Figure lO'is a perspective view showing the under surface of one of said plates, and Figure 11 is a perspective view of a lockmg member which I preferably employ.

Referring to the drawings 12 represents railroad track having rails 13 and. 13

mounted on ties 14; said track havingswitches 15 in the form of rails which are adapted to be moved as a unit toward and from the rails 13 and 13 to effect the switching of a train for example from said track .to another track in the usual manner.

A box or case 20,'which is preferably made of metal, has laterally extending'fianges 21 slidably positioned within the slideways 19 so that said boa: is free to slide with respect to the base in a direction transversely of the track. The top 22 of the box 20 has a hole 23 therein adapted to always be in registry with a slot 24 in the base 16, 1

Two locking plates 25 are positioned on the upper surface of the base 16 and have slot 26 therein through which extend bolts 27; said bolts being secured to the base 16 and serving to permit said plates 25 to be moved toward or from each otherfor purposesof 'adjustment'as will hereinafter be more fully described and it will be noted that by tightening the bolts 27 that the locking plates 25 In order to in sure against any accidental movement ofthe plates relatively to the base, I preferably roughen or provide the engaging surfaces of the plates 25 and base 16 with teeth 28 which intermesh and as shown in Figure 9. If it is desired to move the plates 25 relatively to the base, it is necessary to loosen the bolts 17 to such extent as to allow the plates 25 to be first lifted out of mesh with the teeth of the base 16; after which the plates 25 can be adjusted and again permitted to engage the base 16 so that when the bolts 27 are tightened-the plates 25 will be securely locked to the base 16. lt willbe noted that eachof the plates 25 hasa notch or recess 29 and an ad:

jacent tongue 30 the arrangement bein such as to provide shoulders 31 which pre erably abut each other as shown in Figures 1 and 8.

The, plates 25 respectively have apertures 32 and 32 therein which extend entirely therethrough and communicate with the slot- 24 in the base. i

A pivot rod 33 is mounted in the box 20 and supports a locking member 34. This locking member hastwo locking dogs 35'and 36 which are spaced apart and project upwardly through the hole 23 in the box 20. The dog 36 under certain conditions for example as shown in Figure 2 is adapted to move into the hole 32 in one of the plates 25 and the dog 35 under certain conditions hereinafter described is adapted to move upwardly within the hole 32 of the other plate 25 as shown in Figure 5. The lower portion of the member 34 has depending legs 37 and i 38 which are spaced apart. The surface 39' between the legs 37 and 38 being preferably curved as illustrated.

The box 20 has holes 40 in its opposite ends through which slide an operating rod 41; the bottom of the box preferably being channeled or grooved as shown at 41 to permit the portion of the rod 41 which extends through the box, to slidably rest therein. With the parts thus far described it will be noted that the box 20 under certain conditions can slide relatively to the base 16 and the rod 41 can slide relatively to the box- 20. The rod 41 at a portion within the box 20 has a block or lug 42 secured thereto which serves in a double capacity namely to rock the member 34 and also to move under the leg of themember which has been raised in its open position as shown in, Figures 1, 2 and 8 with the dog 36 extending into the aperture 32" of the one locking plate 25 with the block 42 of the rod 41 positioned under the leg 38, if it is desired to throw the svitchinto: and lock the same in its closed position, the rod 41 is moved lengthwise toward the left viewed from Figure 2; the first part of the movement of this bar serving to move the block 42 from under. the leg 38 and into engagement with the leg 37 of the member 34; it being noted that when the member 34 is swung into the position as shown in Fi ure 2 that the leg 37 will be in the path movement of the block 42. A continued movement of the rod 41 in said direction will cause the block 42' to engage the leg 37 of the member 34and swing said member on its pivot rod 33 from the position shown in Figure 3 so that the dog 36 will moveout of the aperture 32 and the dog 35' will move upwardly into engagement with the bottom surface of the latter mentioned'plate 25; thus limiting said swinging moven-ient of the member 34.

g A continued movement oiithe rod 41 will move the box 20 in the direction toward the rail 13 and since the box 20 is connected by 25, the member 34 can then swing so that.v

the dog 35 will move upwardly into the aperture 32 asshown Figure 5 and a continued movement of the block 42 and op cratingrod 41: will cause the block 42 to move under the leg 37 of the member 34 and thereby hold the do 35 in the aperture 32 as sh'ownin Figure 6; thus locking the switch,portions 15 in their shifted position. The operating rod 41 in the formillustrated is provided with screw threaded portions withnuts 46 and47 thereon so that after the block 42 has moved under the leg 37, the nut 46 will engage theadjacent end of the box and limit the f-urtlnwmore ment of the operating rod with respect to the box. f itis desired toval) the amount of throw of the switch the plates 25- can be moved toward orfrom eaclr other as the case may besothat the apertures 32 and 232 will be moved'eitl er closer together or from the construction; illustrated and above described. It wilt of course be understood that when the switchportions are to be niove'd' in air opposite direction the rod 16 ample toward the right viewed from Figure 6; the first action being to move the block 4-2 from under the leg 37 of the member 34 and into engagement with the leg 38 of saidmember whereby the member will be swung to withdraw the dog 35 out of the slot 32 and move the dog 36 upwardly into engagement with the under surface of the adjacent plate 25. Then the block 12 will be operative to move the box until the dog 36 registers with the aperture 32.-

Then the dog 36 will swing upwardly into the aperture 32" and the block 32 will again move under the leg 38 and the nut 47 will engage the adjacent end of the box 20. It will be also noted that tension is applied to the operating rod ll due to its connection with theoperating means in the tower or other place which includes means for throwing the switches. Thus accidental movement of the rod 41 is prevented.

It will be noted that by a single continuous movement of the operating rod ll in one direction the switch will be unlocked and moved into a shifted position and then looked in said shifted position. Vice versa when the operating rod is moved continuously in an opposite direction the switch will be unlocked and moved in an opposite direction and then again locked in its shifted position.

IVhile I have describedmy invention as taking a particular form, it will be understood that the various parts of my invention may be changed without departing from the spirit thereof, and hence I do not limit myself to the precise construction set forth, but consider that Iam at liberty to'make such changes and alterations as fairly come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. Mechanism of the character described adapted to move and lock a switch, said mechanism including pivoted locking means; means for bodily carrying said locking means; means connecting said carrying means with said switch; fixed means for locking engagement with said locking means; and operating" means adapted to move said locking means on its pivot into and out of locking engagement wit-h a portion of said fixed means and tor moving said carrying means, when the locking means is moved out of locking engagement with said fixed means to effect movement of the switch from one position to another, said fixed means having another portion for locking engagement-with said locking means, said operating means being adapted, after said movement of the carrying means, to move said locking means into locking engagement with said latter portion of said fixed means,

said fixed means being made up of parts respectively including said portions, said parts being adjustable relatively to each other; substantially as described.

2. Mechanism of the character described I adapted to move and lock asw'itch, said mechamsm including; fixed means having apertures spaced apart; a locking member; vmeans forming a carrier for said lock- 111g member and movable relatively to said first means ;-.an operating rod having a portion adapted to move said locking means relatively to its carrier whereby portions of the locking means can be moved into and out of said apertures, said portion jot the operating rod being adapted to move said carrier relatively to said first means when the locking means isout of registry with said apertures; and-means connecting said carrier withsaid switch; substantially as described. 1

3. Mechanism of the character described adapted to m'ove and lock a switch, said mechanism including fixed means having apertures spaced apart; a locking member"; means forming a carrier for said locking member and movable relatively to said fixed means; an operating rod, said locking member having dogs spaced apa-rtand leg portions spaced apart, said operating rod having a portion adapted to engage said leg portions and swing said member so that its dogs can be respectively moved into and out of said apertures and to move under said leg portions to hold either'of the dogs within its aperture, said portion on the operating rod also serving to move said carrier relatively to said fixed'means through the medium-of engagement with the lockingimember when moving the latter from a position within one or" the apertures to a position engaging means forming a carrier for said locking member and positioned below said fixed means an operating rod, said locking member having dogs spaced apart and leg portions spaced apart, said operating rod having a portion adaptedto engage said leg portions and swing said member so that its dogs can be respectively moved into and out of said apertures and to move said leg portions to hold either of the dogs within its aperture, said portion on the operating rod also serving to move said carrier relatively to said fixed means by swinging said locking member so that its dogs are both below said fixed means and then being adapted to move the carrier through the medium of engagement with the locking member; and means operative'ly conn cting said carrier withtlie switch' substantially as described.

adapted to move Mid lo mechanism including a fixed Mseliaving' a slot; a box slidazbl y mounted be'lbw s'aidbase and having a hble registering with said slot in the base; means secured" relatii eb to' said base and having apertures in registry with and-above said slot; a lbeliin g member piwfqtailly mounted in the boxarid having drags spaced apart thereef' which can be swung upwardly through the hole and slot; and an operating rod sliti able within the box and having a projecting porti'on thereon; said locking member having leg portions spaced apart adapted to be engaged" by said p-rejeeting portion of the operating rod whereby the leekingmembe: can be swfi'ng at am one of the dogs will engage within one of said apertures and so that" said" portion of tits operating rod can move under one of the legs to hold said dog in said position said" portion of theoperating rod being adapted to swing the locking member into a: position with both of themdogs' below said first means whereby said operatin'g rod can move-the.

box through. (the medium of engagement with the locking so as to move the other of the dogs into' registry with and to enter the other aperture; said portion of the operatingarod'being adapted to more under the other leg of said locking member and thereby hold' said latterimentioned dog H in: said position; substantially as described.

6'. Mechanism of the character described. adapted: to movezrand'lock a switch, said mechanism including members having apertures; switch shifting'means locking means carried by said" shifting means" and movable into locking engagement with said members by entering either of saidapertures; a' fixed support; and means adjusta'bly securing said members to said-fixed support whereby said apertures can be moved toward or from each other; substantially as described.

7. Switch locking-'mechamsm including a base; [a box mounted to slide in the base; a tie bar connected to the box'and' connects. ing the switch rails; locking plates secured to the base; a lockin member pivota'lly mounted inthe box an having dogs 'adapted to engage with the locking plates; an

attests operating rod adapted by movement, in v either direction, to release one of thelock- 5. Mechanism of the charaetei described of: a: switch, Sara ing dogs from engagement with a locking;

late; to slide the box thereby actuating thetie rod to close or open a switch, and to force the other dog into engagement with a locking plate;

8; Switch locking mechanism including a slotted base; box mountedto slide in the base;a tie bar connected. to the box and connecting the switch rails; locking plates securedto' the base and having opening.-:-: com- 'mu-nicating with the slot in the base; a

lockingmember pivotally mounted in the box and having dogs adapted to engage the locking plates; an operating rod adapted by moven'i'ent in either direction, to release one of the locking dogs from engagement with a locking plate to slide the box thereby actuating the tie rod to cl'o's'e or open a switch, and to force the other dog into-engagement with a locking plate.

9 Switch locking mechanism including a base; a box mounted to slide in the base;

a tie b'ar connected to the box and connect- 1 ing the switch rails, locking plates secured to the base: a locking member pivotally nioni'ited in the box and having dogs, adapt ed to engage with the locking plates, and

ing rod adapted to actuate the locking member to alternately release one dog from engagement and force the other into engagement witha locking plate.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.- M

g t ALDUS FISHER Witnesses EVELYN CRoMr'rox, CHAS. E. PO'I'IS.

"beveled faced depending lugs; and an oper- 

